USDA extends comment period for Colombian avocado access

U.S. authorities have given the industry around a month longer to submit comments about a proposed rule to allow avocado imports from Colombia.
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) had previously slated a Feb. 16 due date for comments, but that has now been postponed until March 20.
"We are also notifying the public of the availability of a revised pest risk assessment (PRA) and risk management document (RMD) associated with the proposed rule," APHIS said in a notice.
"Continued analysis by APHIS shows that the proposed importation of Hass avocados from Colombia poses a minimal risk of introducing pests of concern, including the pink hibiscus mealybug, into the United States.
"Extending the comment period will allow interested persons time to review the new information and to submit comments by the new closing date of March 20, 2017."